Senior Wireless Systems Validation Engineer | Apple | Sunnyvale / San Diego / Irvine

Apple Inc.; Sunnyvale, San Diego, Irvine (CA, CA, CA); On-site; USD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Apple Inc. seeks an experienced Senior Wireless Systems Validation Engineer to own end-to-end validation for next‑gen wireless products across Sunnyvale, San Diego, and Irvine.

You will lead lab bring‑up, RF/baseband testing, and regulatory workflows, driving robust automation and cross‑functional collaboration to ensure top quality in Apple devices. You will apply deep knowledge of RF standards, channel emulation, and scripting (Python/C++) to resolve complex bottlenecks and deliver on critical

Qualifications

• Minimum 5+ years in wireless systems validation or RF/baseband product development.
• Hands-on expertise in RF/baseband performance testing and wireless standards (5G NR, LTE, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth).
• Experience with regulatory certification processes (FCC/CE) and carrier conformance testing.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end systems validation strategies for next‑gen wireless products.
• Lead lab-based silicon bring‑up, functional validation, and performance characterization.
• Design and execute test plans covering RF, throughput, coexistence, and protocol compliance.
• Drive regulatory certification workflows and build test automation frameworks.

Skills

RF testing

Baseband testing

Test automation

Python

C++

Regulatory certification

Troubleshooting

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s, Master’s or PhD in Electrical Engineering / Telecommunications

Tools

Spectrum analyzers

Channel simulators/emulators

RF test equipment

Job description

Position Summary:

Apple is actively seeking an experienced, high-caliber, and technical Senior Wireless Systems Validation Engineer to join our Wireless Systems Team on a full-time permanent basis across Sunnyvale, San Diego, and Irvine. In this critical systems validation role, you will own the quality bar for Apple's wireless systems—from lab-based silicon bring-up to regulatory certification. You will leverage your deep specialist expertise in RF and baseband performance, test strategy architecture, and systems validation to ensure uncompromised wireless quality in products that ship to millions worldwide. This opportunity offers competitive compensation, executive technical visibility, and exceptional career growth prospects within Apple’s world-class hardware technology enterprise.

Detailed Job Description:

As a Senior Wireless Systems Validation Engineer supporting Apple’s wireless initiatives across Sunnyvale, San Diego, and Irvine, you will take full operational, tactical, and technical ownership of systems validation, test strategy formulation, lab-based silicon bring-up, and regulatory compliance. Your day-to-day responsibilities include designing comprehensive validation test plans, executing rigorous RF and baseband performance testing, validating carrier interoperability, achieving regulatory certification, building robust test automation strategies, and collaborating closely with silicon design, software, and product operations squads. You will utilize your proactive troubleshooting and analytical problem‑solving skills to resolve complex validation bottlenecks under strict product launch milestones. Furthermore, you will manage application requirements.

• Own and drive comprehensive end-to-end systems validation strategies for Apple's next-generation wireless products.
• Lead lab-based silicon bring-up, functional validation, and performance characterization of RF and baseband subsystems.
• Design and execute rigorous test plans covering RF parametric performance, throughput, coexistence, and protocol compliance.
• Spearhead regulatory certification testing (FCC, CE, PTCRB, GCF) and carrier conformance verification workflows.
• Build, scale, and maintain robust test automation frameworks and bench setups utilizing industry-leading RF test equipment.
• Analyze complex system bugs, trace root causes across hardware, firmware, and software layers, and drive swift resolution.
• Collaborate seamlessly with silicon engineering, software development, regulatory compliance, and program management squads.
• Mentor junior validation engineers and establish departmental best practices for wireless test execution and quality assurance.

• Bachelor’s, Master’s, or PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Telecommunications, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 5+ years of progressive professional experience in wireless systems validation, test engineering, or RF/baseband product development.
• Strong, demonstrable hands‑on expertise in wireless standards (5G NR, LTE, Wi‑Fi, Bluetooth, GNSS) and RF/baseband performance testing.
• Deep practical proficiency in laboratory test equipment operation (wireless testers, spectrum analyzers, channel emulators).
• Proven operational experience in regulatory certification (FCC/CE) and carrier conformance testing processes.
• Exceptional analytical, troubleshooting, debugging, and problem‑solving capabilities under complex hardware‑software environments.
• Excellent written and verbal English communication skills with strong cross‑functional leadership abilities.
• Mandatory legal work eligibility and physical availability for full‑time on‑site operations at Apple (Sunnyvale, San Diego, or Irvine).
• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) focusing on wireless communications or RF engineering.
• Prior professional working experience in top‑tier smartphone manufacturers, wireless chipset vendors, or cellular test labs.
• Advanced programming proficiency in Python or C++ for automated test script development and data telemetry analysis.
• Familiarity with OTA (Over‑The‑Air) testing chambers and Anechoic chamber operations.

Application Information:

• Recruiter: Apple Hardware Technology Recruitment Division
• Contact Name: Rachna Salla (Senior Technical Sourcing Recruiter)
• Email:
• Phone:
• Company Website: https://jobs.apple.com
• Salary/Rate: Market Competitive / Apple Executive Hardware Compensation Package
• Deadline: Open until filled (Urgent Sunnyvale, San Diego, and Irvine On‑Site Openings)
• Notice Period: Immediate to 30 Days Preferred
• Contract Duration: Permanent / Full‑Time On‑Site Engagement (Sunnyvale | San Diego | Irvine)

Recruitment Pro Tip:

• When applying for this Senior Wireless Systems Validation Engineer position at Apple, ensure your resume explicitly highlights your regulatory certification and test strategy portfolio, details your lab bring‑up experience, and confirms your location preference.